A circular economy is an alternative to a traditional
linear economy (make, use, dispose) in which we keep
resources in use for as long as possible, extract the
maximum value from them whilst in use, then recover
and regenerate products and materials at the end of
each service life.
 As well as creating new opportunities for growth, a
more circular economy will:
- reduce waste
- drive greater resource productivity
- deliver a more competitive UK economy.
- position the UK to better address emerging resource
security/scarcity issues in the future.
- help reduce the environmental impacts of our
production and consumption in both the UK and
abroad.
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It presents a high-level map of how products and
materials move through a circular economy. It is
divided into three parts:
The inner circles present the key stages in the
lifecycle or value chain of paper and packaging
products;
The inner circles present the key stages in the
lifecycle or value chain of paper and packaging
products;
The outer circle presents the broader market and
policy context that shapes decision-making within
the system (Product research, design and
development;
SOURCE: Ellen MacArthur Foundation circular economy team
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Closed cycles
Renewable energy
Systems thinking Source -(Korhonen, Honkasalo and Seppälä, 2018).
Transition scenario: Conservative assumptions, focusing
on changes in product designs, reverse cycle
capabilities
 Advanced scenario: Assuming more radical changes
especially in terms of further developed reverse-supplychain competencies, and other enabling conditions
such as customer acceptance, cross-chain and crosssector collaboration, and legal frameworks
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SOURCE: Eurostat 2007 input-output tables for EU-27 economies; Ellen MacArthur Foundation
circular economy team